NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release May 8, 2003

In Time for Mother’s Day: Mothers...and Fathers…are top Teen Role Models, According to Junior Achievement/Harris Interactive Poll

Parents Beat out J. Lo, Kobe, Business Leaders and even President Bush

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Teenagers may give their mothers and fathers a hard time, but the fact is parents top the list of role models identified by teens in a recent Junior Achievement/Harris Interactive Poll. In all, 32% identified parents as the best role models for teens, according to the demographically weighted survey of 624 teens between the ages of 13 and 18. Next came teachers at 15%, basketball star Kobe Bryant at 5% and talk show host Oprah Winfrey at 3%, who tied with President George W. Bush.

“It’s apparent that while teens look up to many people in our society, it’s those who are involved in their daily lives that have the most profound impact,” said David S. Chernow, president and CEO of Junior Achievement. “This is one of the reasons JA has been working with parents as volunteers for its new JA Finance Park™ program.”

Divided by gender, 36% of males identified parents as their top choice, while they were selected by 28% of females. Other choices included Microsoft founder Bill Gates (2%), National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice (2%), entertainer Jennifer Lopez (1%) and Dell Computer founder Michael Dell (1%). An additional 36% identified “somebody else” as their role model choice.

JA Finance Park™ is an experiential program that offers middle school students personal financial management and career exploration through classroom instruction and active participation in a simulated community. The curriculum is designed as an integrated unit, preparing students for an all-day visit to JA Finance Park™. Parents and business volunteers serve as on-site mentors.

The Junior Achievement/Harris Interactive Poll was conducted between April 15 and 23, 2003, in conjunction with the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by career site Monster. On May 13, seven business legends will be inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Minneapolis, MN. These laureates serve as role models for today’s youth.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA offers in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA programs focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today nearly 150 JA offices reach four million students nationwide. Through its international operation, JA reaches another two million students in more than 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.

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